Mr. Kheem Singh - A Legend
Posted on - 28 Dec 2012
MR. KHEEM SINGH - A LEGEND
Mr.Kheem Singh had contributed about 50 years to Horse Racing : viz : 20 years.as a Jockey , 15 years.as a Trainer & 15 years.as Racing official.
He started his career as an Apprentice Jockey in 1940.
As an apprentice he was selected by the famous Trainer Mr.A.L.J Talib. Throughout his riding career spanning from 1940 to 1959 he only rode for Mr. A.L.J. Talib as a RETAINER which is a unique feat in itself.
He received many lucrative offers to ride including the Royal Stables but he remained loyal to Mr.A.L.J.Talib as he was the one to have given him a break. An excellent example of Faithfulness, Grit and Character.
He was a Favourite amongst the Public and Punters for giving in his 100% effort in every race.
A very famous Chartered Accountant of his era quoted : - Mr Kheem Singh was known as the “Gentleman of the Racecourse ” amongst the racing circle.
Mr. Kheem Singh would oblige with Tips to everyone from a Paanwala to an Aristrocat who would be lined up outside his house during race days.
A sound solid dependable rider, he was considered the best at smart get-aways which helped him considerably in Sprints.
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Highlights of his career :
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First Apprentice Jockey to finish apprenticeship with 30 winners to become a full jockey.
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First Indian jockey to win the Indian Derby in the year 1949 on Balam and to break the Foreign Jockey's monopoly.
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He won all Major Classic Races at the RWITC LTD.
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He won on Rossa Linda, a mile and a half race even after the stirrup iron broke at the jump off.
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He was probably the only Jockey to have Won two races in one single race day on the same horse viz CAMISOLE, which may be a World Record. The entire public was on the race track to applaud this Feat.
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He was a leading jockey several times and created a record in 1948-1949 by riding 42 winners in a season consisting of about 22 racing days in Mumbai.
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He rode in Sri Lanka and also accompanied Balam to London.
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He retired as a jockey in 1959 and the Stewards were kind enough to immediately grant him a Trainer's License on that very day.
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In the subsequent Mumbai racing season of 1961-62 he went on to beat his Mentor Mr.A.L.J.Talib for the Trainer's Championship - who was the leading trainer for several years.
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The best two horses he rode during his career were Balam an Indian horse and Rock of Gibraltor an English horse.
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He was awarded a Living Legend Trophy by the RWITC LTD. in the year 1999.
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